Chapter 2

Chemical and Laboratory Safety

1.1.Introduction

This Chapter presents the hazard classification of chemicals, the proper labeling and storage
of chemicals and the proper management of laboratory wastes.

1.2.Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:

✓ Classify chemicals according to hazard classification

✓ Describe the proper storage of chemicals

✓ Describe the segregation wastes based on DENR classification

1.3.What is the GHS?

The GHS is an acronym for The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling
of Chemicals. The GHS is a system for standardizing and harmonizing the classification and
labeling of chemicals. It is a logical and comprehensive approach to:

• Defining health, physical and environmental hazards of chemicals;

• Creating classification processes that use available data on chemicals for comparison with
the defined hazard criteria; and

• Communicating hazard information, as well as protective measures, on labels and Safety

Data Sheets (SDS).

36 | P a g e
 Many countries already have regulatory systems in place for these types of requirements.
These systems may be similar in content and approach, but their differences are significant enough
to require multiple classifications, labels and safety data sheets for the same product when
marketed in different countries, or even in the same country when parts of the life cycle are covered
by different regulatory authorities. This leads to inconsistent protection for those potentially
exposed to the chemicals, as well as creating extensive regulatory burdens on companies producing
chemicals. For example, in the United.States (U.S.) there are requirements for classification and
labeling of chemicals for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Department of
Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration.

The GHS itself is not a regulation or a standard. The GHS Document (referred to as “The
Purple Book”) establishes agreed hazard classification and communication provisions with
explanatory information on how to apply the system. The elements in the GHS supply a mechanism
to meet the basic requirement of any hazard communication system, which is to decide if the
chemical product produced and/or supplied is hazardous and to prepare a label and/or Safety Data
Sheet as appropriate. Regulatory authorities in countries adopting the GHS will thus take the
agreed criteria and provisions, and implement them through their own regulatory process and
procedures rather than simply incorporating the text of the GHS into their national requirements.

The GHS Document thus provides countries with the regulatory building blocks to develop or
modify existing national programs that address classification of hazards and transmittal of
information about those hazards and associated protective measures. This helps to ensure the safe
use of chemicals as they move through the product life cycle from “cradle to grave.”

1.4 What Is GHS Classification?

Classification is the starting point for hazard communication. It involves the identification
of the hazard(s) of a chemical or mixture by assigning a category of hazard/danger using defined
criteria. The GHS is designed to be consistent and transparent. It draws a clear distinction between
classes and categories in order to allow for “self classification”.

37 | P a g e
 For many hazards a decision tree approach (e.g., eye irritation) is provided in the GHS
Document. For several hazards the GHS criteria are semi-quantitative or qualitative. Expert
judgment may be required to interpret these data. Figure 3.1 shows the harmonized definition for
hazard classification, which can be applied to all hazard categories in the system. The data used
for classification may be obtained from tests, literature, and practical experience.

The GHS health and environmental hazard criteria/definitions are test method neutral.
Accordingly, tests that determine hazardous properties conducted according to internationally
recognized scientific principles can be used for purposes of hazard classification. The GHS
endpoints that cover physical, health and environmental hazards are listed in Figures 3.2 and 3.3,
respectively. As mentioned earlier, the GHS hazard definitions are criteria-based. The following
information provides an overview of the GHS definitions and classification criteria. It is
recommended that the person responsible for GHS implementation consult the GHS Document or
“Purple Book” for more complete information.

38 | P a g e
 1.4.1. What are the GHS Physical Hazards? The GHS physical hazards criteria, developed
by the ILO and UNCETDG, were largely based on the existing criteria used by the UN Model
Regulation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Therefore, many of the criteria are already being
used on a worldwide basis. However, some additions and changes were necessary since the scope
of the GHS includes all target audiences. The physical hazards classification process provides
specific references to approved test methods and criteria for classification. The GHS physical
hazard criteria apply to mixtures. It is assumed that mixtures will be tested for physical hazards.
In general, the GHS criteria for physical hazards are quantitative or semi-quantitative with multiple
hazard levels within an endpoint. This is different from several of the existing systems that
currently have qualitative criteria for various physical hazards (e.g., organic peroxide criteria
Hazard Classification The term “hazard classification” is used to indicate that only the intrinsic
hazardous properties of substances and mixtures are considered and involves the following 3 steps:
a) Identification of relevant data regarding the hazards of a substance or mixture; b) Subsequent
review of those data to ascertain the hazards associated with the substance or mixture; and c) A
decision on whether the substance or mixture will be classified as a hazardous substance or mixture
and the degree of hazard, where appropriate, by comparison of the data with agreed hazard
classification criteria.

This could make classification under the GHS more consistent. In developing GHS criteria
for physical hazards it was necessary to define physical states. In the GHS,

• a gas is a substance or mixture which at 50°C has a vapor pressure greater than 300 kPa; or
is completely gaseous at 20°C and a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa.

• a liquid is a substance or mixture that is not a gas and which has a melting point or initial
melting point of 20°C or less at standard pressure of 101.3 kPa.

• a solid is a substance or mixture that does not meet the definitions of a liquid or a gas.

The GHS physical hazards are briefly described below. For many of the physical hazards the
GHS Document contains Guidance Sections with practical information to assist in applying the
criteria.

39 | P a g e
 1.4.2. What are the GHS Health and Environmental Hazards?

The GHS health and environmental hazard criteria represent a harmonized approach for
existing classification systems (see Figure 3.3). The work at the OECD to develop the GHS criteria
included: • A thorough analysis of existing classification systems, including the scientific basis for
a system and its criteria, its rationale and an explanation of the mode of use; • A proposal for
harmonized criteria for each category. For some categories the harmonized approach was easy to
develop because the existing systems had similar approaches. In cases where the approach was
different, a compromise consensus proposal was developed. • Health and environmental criteria
were established for substances and mixtures.

40 | P a g e
41 | P a g e
42 | P a g e
43 | P a g e
44 | P a g e
1.5. Storage and Labeling of Chemicals

1.5.1. Labelling of Chemicals, Solutions & Mixtures

The labels of containers should contain the following information

A. Chemicals in original container:

Indicate Date Open

Highlight: Expiry date

B. Solutions/ mixtures prepared:

Name of Compound

45 | P a g e
 Molecular Formula

Concentration

Hazard pictogram

Date prepared:

Prepared by:

1.5.2. Chemical Segregation & Incompatibilities Guidelines

46 | P a g e
1.6. Hazardous Wastes Identification: Types & Characteristics

1.6.1. Definition of Hazardous Wastes (DAO 2004-36)

Substances that are without any safe commercial, industrial, agricultural or economic usage
and are shipped, transported or brought from the country of origin for dumping or disposal into or
in transit through any part of the territory of the Philippines,

By-products, side-products, process residues, spent reaction media, contaminated plant or

equipment or other substances from manufacturing operations and as consumer discards of
manufactured products which present unreasonable risk and/or injury to health and safety and to
environment.

1.6.2. Types of Hazardous Waste as to Form

Solid, Liquid, Slurry, Gas

1.6.3. Steps in Identifying Hazardous Waste

47 | P a g e
 A. Is it a “waste”?

For a material to be considered as hazardous waste, it must first be classified as a waste. The
following materials are classified as wastes:

Industrial wastewater

Sludge from wastewater treatment

Spent materials (those that could no longer be used for their intended purpose)

Commercial grade chemicals that are discarded

Garbage or refuse

Empty containers

Process residues

B. Is it specifically exempted?

(Table 1-2 of DAO 2004-36)

C. Is it listed?

(Table 1-1 of DAO 2004-36)

D. Does it exhibit one or more of the characteristics of hazardous wastes?

(MSDS, conducting tests)

Any waste that exhibits one or more of these characteristics is considered hazardous waste

48 | P a g e
1.6.4. Characteristics of Hazardous Wastes

A. Ignitable

✓ Applies to any physical state

✓ Any liquid having a flash point of not more than 140F/60C

✓ Any of the following solids:

✓ Wetted explosives that when dry are explosives

✓ Self-reactive materials that are liable to undergo strongly exothermal decomposition

✓ Pyrophoric materials (also liquid) that can ignite within 5 min after coming in contact with air

✓ Flammable compressed gases

B. Corrosive

✓ Acidic or basic with pH greater than 12.5 or less than 2.0

✓ Capable of corroding metal such as containers, tanks, barrels and drums

49 | P a g e
✓ Assigned Waste # B201-299, C301-399

C. Reactive

✓ Unstable under normal conditions and readily undergo violent change without detonating

✓ React violently with water and create spontaneously explosive mixtures like toxic gases,
vapors or fumes

✓ Are capable of detonating

D. Toxic

✓ Poisonous

✓ Carcinogenic

✓ Mutagenic

✓ Teratogenic

✓ Based on TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure) - a procedure used to simulate

the leaching which a waste will undergo if disposed of in a sanitary landfill and is applicable
to liquid, solid and multi-phased sample

1.6.5. Is it Exempted from RA 6969 Coverage? (Table 2-1)

✓ Garbage from domestic premises & households

✓ Treated industrial or commercial wastewater that are disposed of on-site through the sewerage
system

✓ Industrial & commercial solid wastes that do not contain prescribed hazardous wastes as listed

✓ Materials from building demolition except those that contain asbestos

✓ Septic tank effluent & sewage from domestic sources

✓ Untreated spoils from mining, quarrying, & excavation works

50 | P a g e
1.6.6. Is it Listed as Hazardous Wastes? (DAO 2004-36)

51 | P a g e
52 | P a g e
53 | P a g e
54 | P a g e
55 | P a g e
56 | P a g e
1.6.7. End of Module Test

1. Complete the table below

Chemical Hazard Specific hazard Proper Pictogram

Classification

DPPH

12N HCl

Benzene

Methane

Concentrated H2SO4

Concentrated HNO3

Methanol

57 | P a g e